FC Andorra Draws 1-1 with Cultural Leonesa After Snow Clearance Epic

**FC Andorra salvages 1-1 draw against Cultural Leonesa after heavy snow forces stadium cleanup**

The Nou Estadi de la FAF in Encamp hosted FC Andorra's first home match of 2026 against Cultural Leonesa, which ended in a 1-1 draw after an extraordinary collective effort cleared nearly 30 centimetres of snow from the pitch. The game, originally scheduled for 4:15pm, kicked off at 6:30pm following eight hours of work by over 100 club staff, fans, and volunteers, aided by snow-clearing machines. Gerard Piqué, the club's president, rallied support via social media, ensuring the fixture went ahead on a patchy, icy surface before 1,121 spectators.

Cultural Leonesa struck first in the 14th minute. Thiago Ojeda crossed from the right, and Luis Chacón bundled the ball past Áaron Yaakobishvili to make it 0-1. FC Andorra dominated possession—reaching 72% at times—but struggled to create clear chances on the frozen turf in the opening half. A header from Lautaro de León skimmed the post late in the period, but Edgar Badia was rarely tested.

Carles Manso, acting as head coach, reshaped the team at halftime with a triple substitution: Marc Doménech into midfield, and wingers Aingeru Olabarrieta and Josep Cerdà replacing Álvaro Martín, Minsu Kim, and Manu Nieto. The hosts transformed, pinning Cultural back with relentless pressure. Lautaro hit the post from Thomas Carrique's cross, followed by Dani Villahermosa striking the woodwork. Cerdà then equalised in the 57th or 58th minute, volleying a loose ball into the top corner after another Carrique delivery was cleared into his path.

Despite further opportunities—including a late penalty claim for Cerdà waved away by referee Saúl Ais Reig and VAR—FC Andorra could not find a winner. Cultural, who entered on 24 points alongside the hosts, defended stoutly in a low block, content with the point. Yellow cards went to Álex Calvo for Andorra and several Cultural players including Barzic, Larios, and Víctor García.

Post-match tensions flared in the tunnel. Manso and Cultural coach José Ángel "Cuco" Ziganda received yellows for arguing, while Andorra physio Pere Tarradellas was sent off for calling Ziganda a "payaso" (clown), earning a likely one-match ban.

The result leaves FC Andorra on 25 points after 21 games—six wins, seven draws, eight losses—mid-table and clear of relegation in Spain's Segunda División. It caps the first half of the season, improving on last year's 23 points at this stage but short of their 2022-23 debut's 29. Manso expressed frustration: "We're not satisfied with the result; it was a chance to climb the table." He remained optimistic, noting the team's growing identity and conviction of more points in the second half, with current averages sufficient for survival around 49 points.

The club also announced the loan signing of 22-year-old winger Yeray Cabanzón from Racing Santander until season's end, with an optional purchase clause. He joins training next week. Andorra next face Mirandés away on Sunday.